Foreign Minister Urmas Paet: Situation in Libya Requires Swift Political Resolution and End to Violence

13.04.2011

At the European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet discussed the situations in the Middle East and Northern Africa, especially Libya.

Foreign Minister Paet stated that a political solution must be found for the situation in Libya that would preserve the unity of the state and open up the path for reforms and the implementation of the principles of rule of law.

“The Gadhafi regime must end the violence against the residents of Libya and follow international human rights principles,” he added.

According to Paet, the humanitarian situation in Libya and at Libya’s borders is very poor. “The role of the UN secretary general in co-ordinating humanitarian aid is essential. The European Union is also helping to improve the humanitarian situation. The EU is prepared to help refugees that have gone from Libya into Tunisia and Egypt as well as Libya’s internally displaced persons in order to help them get by,” said Paet.

The Estonian foreign minister stated that the tense situation in many other Northern African and Middle Eastern nations is also cause for concern. “The main responsibility of the international community is to prevent the spread of violence,” he said.